Consulting-Specifying Engineer - June 2008 - (Page 19)

M/E Roundtable (Continued from page 16) operation such as information technology systems. CSE: What plumbing codes are prohibitive toward green technology? What plumbing codes are supportive toward green technology? BANSE: I think all plumbing codes support green technology by requiring adherence to the energy code. This saves water through the use of flow restrictors in sinks and showers, low-flush water closets, and urinals. They certainly do not prohibit the use of less water. Codes allow collection and reuse of gray water as long as the piping systems are labeled properly. Some codes require separation of the black and gray water systems mainly due to the limited infrastructure and ability to treat wastewater. This encourages on site collection and reuse of gray water for irrigation and other nonpotable uses. MARTIN: Some states and local jurisdictions have prohibitions or limitations on the use of no-water urinals. Some locales, such as the state of California, do not permit the use of PEX piping (although local jurisdictions are not precluded from permitting it). Model codes generally provide little support and guidance at this time for innovative piping systems beyond traditional trunk and branch systems. In addition, many plumbing supply lines are vastly oversized for the fixture fittings they supply. The water consumption of the fittings has dropped over the past two decades, but the pipe sizes have not dropped with them. The model codes have each made significant commitments to improving their green attributes, and are following through. Gray water, piping systems and materials, no-water urinals, and sizing issues have all been addressed in new versions of codes to be released in 2009. Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI), like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, endorses an approach that ensures that water-conserving devices not only save water, but also provide appropriate levels of performance and durability. Water is not conserved if users remove or tamper with devices out of frustration. PMI also advocates a holistic approach to water savings that takes into account the potential total water savings that can result from changes to devices, and what impacts will result from a change (both intended and unintended). CSE: Would eliminating hot water from restroom sinks save significant water or energy, and is it allowable by code? Is hot water a sanitary/ code issue or for comfort? ZIMMERMAN: I definitely would not look to eliminating hot water from public lavatories. Fewer people will wash their hands, and the soap just doesn’t clean as well with cold water. I have studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that indicate approximately 40% of common illness is spread by hand-to-mouth contact and could be greatly reduced by regular hand washing. MARTIN: Possibly. Theoretically, if users do not need to wait for the hot water to arrive at the faucet, the water that would normally be dumped down the drain would be saved. However, for commercial installations where the hot water is supplied by a recirculation system, this is generally not an issue, because hot water is usually very close by. As for code acceptance, most codes require that hot water be supplied to fittings and fixtures used for bathing, cleansing, washing, cooking, laundry, and the like (see 607.1 in the 2006 International Plumbing Code (IPC) or 10.15 in the 2006 National Standard Plumbing Code (NSPC)). A ready supply of hot water is considered vital for proper health and hygiene at lavatory faucets. Consider, for example, the signs hung in most restaurant restrooms declaring that state law requires restaurant workers to wash their hands before leaving the restroom. BANSE: People will use the same amount Anyone can claim to save you a lot. AERCO. Condensing design with unmatched turndown. Benchmark Boilers. Condensing is just part of the savings. Even before an independent third party confirmed the full- and part-load efficiency of our BMK2.0LN, we knew our unmatched 20:1 and 15:1 turndown would virtually eliminate cycling losses, minimize wear and tear, and improve temperature control. And with no need for primary pumps, three-way valves or extra heat exchangers, Benchmark boilers streamline system designs and reduce maintenance requirements. Plus, our flexible venting and air intake options also help lower project costs. To learn more visit www.aerco.com/bm2 Heat You Can Bank On Copyright 2008 AERCO International, Inc. Input #212 at csemag.com/quickResponse http://www.aerco.com/bm2 http://www.aerco.com/bm2 http://csemag.com/quickResponse

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Consulting-Specifying Engineer - June 2008 Contents Viewpoint Letters News M/E Roundtable No Gambling Allowed on Smoke Control in Las Vegas Be Prepared: Hospital Protections for Catastrophic Events Ready for Retail Commissioning Documents: Necessary Evil Codes & Standards Codes & Standards Case Study Equipment Lifecycles New Products Advertiser Index Green Space

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - June 2008

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